From at least the time of the French Revolution, politics has been placed on a scale of left, right and center. In this paradigm the center is ideal, left and right lead to the fringes (Communism and Fascism). So far so good, but are Communism and Fascism really opposites? Is the center really all that great? I think not.
This thinking in terms of left and right is misleading and increasingly obsolete. I've come to the conclusion that it should be replaced. How about up versus down? How about a scale that measures something real, like how much control are you willing to allow the state to have over your life? Down represents more control til you come to the very pit where you find BOTH Communism and Fascism. Up is less and less control til you find the rarified atmosphere of Anarchism.
Where on this scale do you want to live? I prefer the bracing mountain air myself.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Serious Candidate
One of the uncomfortable things about being a serious candidate is taking myself seriously. God, I take seriously. Liberty, I take seriously. And little else, least of all me.
It seems though that politics is not the place for humble, self-deprecation. No wonder it is dominated by egotists. Delusions of grandeur are almost a requirement.
It seems though that politics is not the place for humble, self-deprecation. No wonder it is dominated by egotists. Delusions of grandeur are almost a requirement.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
Winter Lull
There's not much going on lately. Much of my strategy depends on door knocking. Winter weather is not very conducive to that, especially the weather we've been having recently.
There are still some things happening, however. The campaign now has a checking and a savings account. Just from friends, neighbors and relatives, I now have 11 signatures on my petitions. The campaign also has now a Facebook page with 19 supporters. A website is still in the works.
Finally, I have a large number of face-to-face promises for support on the ground. Looking now for a dry day with temperatures in the 50's!
There are still some things happening, however. The campaign now has a checking and a savings account. Just from friends, neighbors and relatives, I now have 11 signatures on my petitions. The campaign also has now a Facebook page with 19 supporters. A website is still in the works.
Finally, I have a large number of face-to-face promises for support on the ground. Looking now for a dry day with temperatures in the 50's!
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Strategy
The 79th House District is relatively small, making it easier to cover on foot. It runs, roughly, between New Circle and Man-o-War and Tates Creek and Richmond Road. Meeting most of the voters face-to-face between now and November is quite doable.
I doubt that I'll be raising much money, so knocking on doors will be my primary strategy. Any funds that do come in will be used for door-hangers and yard signs, which would seem to me the most effective at this scale of campaign. Next October, if I have the funds (fantasy time now), I could maybe run a few radio ads on local talk stations. These are relatively inexpensive, as media goes.
As soon as the weather allows, the burning of shoeleather begins.
I doubt that I'll be raising much money, so knocking on doors will be my primary strategy. Any funds that do come in will be used for door-hangers and yard signs, which would seem to me the most effective at this scale of campaign. Next October, if I have the funds (fantasy time now), I could maybe run a few radio ads on local talk stations. These are relatively inexpensive, as media goes.
As soon as the weather allows, the burning of shoeleather begins.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
How to Get Started
First I picked up the forms at the County Clerk's office in downtown Lexington. There are three forms: your intent to seek public office, the campaign finance form, and the petition.
For state offices, the first form needs to be dropped off at the Secretary of State's office in the Capitol building in Frankfort. For local offices, just drop it off with the County Clerk.
The second is turned in when you file your petitions. It's best to start at the lowest (and simplest) level and refile if you raise above the limit (yeah, right). Thank you Senators McCain and Feingold.
If you choose to run as a Republicrat, you probably won't need to worry much about the petitions. If you are running as an independent or third party, however, this will be the most difficult, and perhaps, the most expensive part of your campaign. For example, 5000 is the number of signatures you'll need to run for a state-wide office.
Fortunately, for State House, I'll need only 100 signatures, all of which must come from registered voters who live in the 79th District. To account for mistakes, challenges, etc., it's best to collect 50% or more over the limit. Which means I need at least 150. These have to be turned in by August.
That's it for now. I'll make a progress report in a few days.
For state offices, the first form needs to be dropped off at the Secretary of State's office in the Capitol building in Frankfort. For local offices, just drop it off with the County Clerk.
The second is turned in when you file your petitions. It's best to start at the lowest (and simplest) level and refile if you raise above the limit (yeah, right). Thank you Senators McCain and Feingold.
If you choose to run as a Republicrat, you probably won't need to worry much about the petitions. If you are running as an independent or third party, however, this will be the most difficult, and perhaps, the most expensive part of your campaign. For example, 5000 is the number of signatures you'll need to run for a state-wide office.
Fortunately, for State House, I'll need only 100 signatures, all of which must come from registered voters who live in the 79th District. To account for mistakes, challenges, etc., it's best to collect 50% or more over the limit. Which means I need at least 150. These have to be turned in by August.
That's it for now. I'll make a progress report in a few days.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Now I've Gone and Done It
I've considered this for a number of years and now I've gone ahead and done it.
I've filed my candidacy for the Kentucky House of Representatives, 79th District, under the Constitution Party banner.
While thinking this through, I thought it would be good to leave a record of my experiences that would be available to anyone else who wants to make an unconventional, i.e. independant or third party run at political office. It's my hope that this blog will be beneficial, even if just as a guide for how not to do it.
I've filed my candidacy for the Kentucky House of Representatives, 79th District, under the Constitution Party banner.
While thinking this through, I thought it would be good to leave a record of my experiences that would be available to anyone else who wants to make an unconventional, i.e. independant or third party run at political office. It's my hope that this blog will be beneficial, even if just as a guide for how not to do it.
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